Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
PHOENIX
Despite my sour mood after dinner, with a belly full of warm food and a soft mattress under me, I sleep like a baby during the night. If my nightmares haunt me, I don’t remember any in the morning.
I sleep in until noon. When Hojo wakes me, I’m disoriented. I wash my face and head down to get some food. While I eat my breakfast, I watch Vera and her apprentices roam around the studio in preparation for the Black Night.
Right after breakfast, Vera rushes me into her private washroom, where Hojo and Tanaka pamper me like a queen.
I can’t stop admiring Vera, even if I don’t admit it out loud. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.
Despite her sharp edges, it’s hard not to fall for her when she’s so self-assured, soothing, and powerful. She likes to be in control, and I have a sense there are things she’s hiding. There’s a sense of mystery about her I can’t crack.
Vera is an enigma.
It could be my inability to read her emotions despite her being a regular fae that fuels my suspicion.
I sit in a large copper bathtub filled with warm water. Hojo is brushing my tangled hair, getting ready to wash it. I am absolutely capable of doing it myself, but Vera insists they do it for me.
“What’s with the glare?” Vera inspects her nails.
She sits on a chair, next to the bath. I’m trying not to show how uncomfortable I am being naked in front of her.
Especially when she’s so perfect. Today, she wears a navy three-piece suit.
“Don’t tell me you’re unhappy about being pampered.
I’ve seen Ezkai Academy barracks. They’re vile.
And your studio is humble. This should feel like a treat. ”
“I’m not complaining,” I say. Hojo lathers her palms with soap and starts massaging my scalp. Chills go down my back. It feels so good. “I’m just not used to someone else doing for me what I can do myself.”
“I’m surprised to hear that. You’re from a noble family. Did a year at sea with pirates kick the spoiled brat out of you?”
Anger rises inside me, and my cheeks heat up. I have to bite my tongue to not lash out at Vera. She has no idea what she’s talking about.
“Temper issues.” Vera cocks her head. “That’s unexpected. I thought you learn how to master your emotions during your training.”
She’s watching me closely, so I try my best not to react. But inside, my heart thrashes. Yes, I should have learned to master all of my emotions during my training. But some things are harder to master than others.
“You don’t know anything about me,” I say through clenched teeth. “Just because you have a spy network that you sent after me to gather some basic information, it doesn’t mean you understand anything about who I am.”
“You’re right,” Vera says after a thoughtful pause.
“I don’t know you, or much about you apart from your vague background.
But I have dealt with many young women who have been hurt more times than they can count, so they put up a wall of arrogance and anger to protect themselves and deal with the pain they’ve endured. ”
I’m physically naked. But after her words, my soul is stripped bare, too. When her silver eyes settle on me, they reach into the depths of my soul.
It’s too uncomfortable.
“I’m not one of your poor girls from the streets who have been used and abused and need saving,” I spit. “I don’t need your pity, nor you making assumptions about me.”
Vera smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, you definitely have the attitude to be an Ezkai General.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It’s a compliment.”
We don’t speak for a while. Hojo washes my hair, and Tanaka lathers my body with soap and uses a rough brush to exfoliate my skin. Once I’m clean, they help me out of the bath and massage rose-scented oil into every single inch of my naked skin.
I’m so uncomfortable standing naked, with every scar on my body uncovered, in front of them. I bite the inside of my cheek and patiently wait for them to finish. Once I’m wrapped in a satin robe, I relax.
“Thank you, girls. You can go,” Vera says.
Tanaka and Hojo leave, and Vera gestures for me to sit down at the vanity. Hesitantly, I do. She stands behind me and takes a brush in her hand.
She meets my gaze in the mirror. “We need to go through some basics with you. After tonight’s event, things will move fast. You need to be prepared, and informed.”
I nod. Gently, she starts to untangle my hair. The black diamond choker on her neck catches the light in the most majestic way.
“That’s a beautiful necklace.”
Her throat bobs. “Thank you. It was a gift. So, Val’taz Ezkairin. There will be three trials in total: Trial of Wisdom, Trial of Truth, and Trial of Strength. But before that, there will be three parts of trial preparation.”
“Three? What is there to prepare for that takes so long?”
“Ekions believe three is a sacred number. That’s why we have three pre-trial ceremonies and three trials.”
I nod.
“The Black Night ceremony tonight will be your introduction to the society as a contestant. It’s important to make a good impression, because this is where all the nobles and other influential people start picking their favorite champion to support.”
“Got it. How do I make them like me, then?”
“Certainly by keeping your temper in check.”
I roll my eyes.
“House Dzuni and Ekiosh people appreciate beauty. That’s in the nature of the fae. You have that going for you, so we’re in luck.”
“A weird way to say I’m beautiful, but okay.”
“You’re welcome.”
I scoff, but my lips twitch upwards.
“I’ll do most of the talking and charming.
That’s my role as your patron. But when you speak to House Dzuni, be polite.
Nobles are simple creatures, all they care about is their vanity and comfort.
As long as you, as the future General, can ensure that for them, they’ll be your supporters.
” I nod. Nobles really are the same everywhere.
Vera adds, “Oh, they also love a good show. And danger. Well, the thrill of the danger they get watching others risk their lives.”
“Obviously.”
Vera smirks. “Now, the second pre-trial preparation ceremony is the Cleansing. It’s a ritual of cleansing your mind, body, and soul that’s supposed to help channel your power in preparation for a fight.
Last, there will be a huge celebration held the night before the first trial starts where we pay respects to the spirits of the gods so they bless the participants and grant them luck, the Starless Night. ”
“That’s a lot of traditions,” I murmur.
Vera’s fingers work swiftly to braid my long, thick hair. She weaves the hair on each side of my head before connecting it into one track at the back.
“You’re right. It’s a lot. The whole process is taxing on the body, mind, and soul.
That’s why so few Decarios dare to enter Val’taz Ezkairin when the opportunity presents itself.
Most participants have dedicated their lives to training for this moment even though you never know when, or rather if, you’ll ever get a chance. ”
I swallow. Oh dear. What if I’m way in over my head here?
When Vera is done with the braid, she takes tiny black gleaming pearl pins and decorates my elaborate braid with them. I watch her in the mirror. She’s mesmerizing even when she’s concentrating on a task at hand.
Vera starts applying paints to my face. She adds cherry color to my lips, which accentuates their round shape. A little bit of black kohl liner makes my eyes pop, and the deep blush on my cheeks helps me look a little more alive.
By the time Vera is done with me, I look like royalty.
“Thank you,” I say, rising to my feet.
Vera gives me a once-over. “You’re welcome. Hojo and Tanaka will help you into your gown. Once you’re done strapping your one hundred daggers onto you, we’ll head over to the Ezkai Castle.”